In updating the design of the John M. Olin Library on the campus of Washington University in St. Louis, MO, the design team reworked the existing Missouri Red granite facade to allow more light into the building.

With approximately 500 employees globally and 25 quarries, Polycor Inc. has established a solid name for itself in the stone industry. Headquartered in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, the company - a large quarrier and fabricator of natural stone - has progressed steadily since it was started in 1987. And with 19 quarries that are currently in operation, there are several that have gained a level of renown.

Since its early days, stone architecture has always been held in high regard on the campus of Rhodes College in Memphis, TN. The institution, which was founded in 1848, was initially located in Clarksville, TN, but moved to Memphis in 1925. At this time, it was under the direction of President Charles Diehl, who as a graduate of Princeton University understood the relationship of architecture to academic reputation.

Majestic Marble and Glass of Raleigh, NC, is an example of a company that has capitalized on its growing market. Created in November of 1990, the company specialized in the installation of cultured marble products, shower enclosures and mirrors. In 1992, the business grew into fabrication, manufacturing its own cultured marble products.

Like many businesses pursuing the proverbial American Dream, Top Master, Inc. began in the small garage of its founder and president Tim Hovey. That was in Kansas City, KS, back in 1984, where the company first fabricated DuPont CorianÂ® countertops that it installed in the Kansas City area. Within a year, Top Master had outgrown the garage and moved to a larger facility in Lenexa, KS, and the company has continued to expand over the years - in terms of volume as well as material choices.

A daily four-hour commute along the jammed freeways of Southern California eventually grew tiresome for Doug Lainson, who is now President and Chief Executive Officer of Kitchens & Stone Design Center in Upland, CA. Ultimately, it drove the former high-powered business professional to not only leave his job, but to switch careers altogether. After some careful research, Lainson decided to launch a fabrication facility and showroom with partner Kenny Seamen in late 2003. And in only two years, the business has shown significant growth, and plans for expansion are currently underway.

Home to the renowned Princeton University and rich in historical stone architecture, the community of Princeton, NJ, is saturated in art and culture. Recently added to the downtown line-up of notable buildings is the new public library, which incorporates a palette of Burlington slate from England and Tar Hollow Bluestone from New York State throughout its interior and exterior design.

In this month's issue of Stone World, check out an article on how government agencies are teaming with stone industry professionals to provide safe work environments. Also check out some features on quartz surfacing.